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Finnish Lapland

Looking for a ski destination where there might be a reindeer – or even an elf – around every corner? Magical Lapland in Finland could be the perfect place.

With toasty log cabins, well-maintained slopes and incredible scenery, it’s a true winter wonderland where, if you are lucky, you might even get to see the spectacular Northern Lights.

What makes Finland a great ski destination?

First things first: let’s talk about the snow. Finland’s Arctic Circle resorts have simply oodles of the white stuff. No worries about arriving to find the ski slopes looking bare and earthy here...

The scenery is also stunning and unspoiled in comparison to many European and North American resorts. Remote, vast and pristine, Lapland is an otherworldly place where the stress and routine of everyday life will feel a million miles away. No wonder Santa Claus chose it as his home…

The round fells offer terrain suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, while visitors to Finnish ski resorts also appreciate the lack of lift queues and the quietness of the slopes that cut through the snow-laden forests.

The friendly, relaxed vibe and excellent ski tuition make Lapland a great destination for family ski holidays. Its resorts are also ideal for groups with non-skiers, as they offer a huge variety of activities and excursions for people of all ages and fitness levels.

The northerly location of resorts such as Ruka, Pyhä and Iso-Syöte means they can stay open for longer than many of the resorts in the Alps or the Pyrenees, for example.

The season starts in late October, and only comes to an end in May, with high season starting in mid-February when the days are longer and brighter.

The skiing in beautiful Iso-Syöte is best suited to beginners, particularly younger ones.

Off-piste fans, meanwhile, should try Pyhä, which has a small but varied ski area and a huge, picturesque backcountry area to explore.

And intermediates will love Ruka, a small but perfectly formed resort that is ideal for families and boasts a variety of immaculately groomed, tree-lined pistes.

All the resorts offer you the chance to ease your aching muscles in a traditional Finnish sauna, try dogsledding or ice fishing, or head out on a nighttime snowmobile safari in search of the mesmerising Northern Lights.

Standards of accommodation across the board are also high, whether you opt for a luxury spa hotel or a cosy log cabin.

Just don’t forget to pack your thermals as the bitterly cold temperatures in Finnish Lapland mean you need to wrap up warm when you head outside.

Which resort should I head to?

With a huge number of resorts to pick from, we've highlighted the most popular for ski and snowboard holidays in Finland...

Here are the main resorts we feature in Finland, with handy guides to help you select the right destination.

Not only do we give you an overview of the resort, we also rate each one out of 10 for:

Suitability for beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers and snowboarders

Après-ski

Non-skiers

Cost of living

Attractiveness of the resort

Click on a destination below to read more and to see the ratings we have given.